Crusaders duo lured to the North
Tupou has earned 25 Super Rugby caps for the Crusaders since 2013. The versatile 23-year-old has played both lock and loose forward but wants to specialize in the second row.
"I see myself as a lock that can play in the loose forwards. I have that history in the back row and can cover that if needed," said Tupou.
Tupou under Blues coach Tana Umaga during his time at Counties Manukau. Umaga is delighted to welcome him back to Auckland.
"Jimmy is an excellent athlete who is both skilled and physical. With the loss of Josh Bekhuis overseas, there’s an opportunity for Jimmy to battle for a starting spot with our other current locks," Umaga said.
Former Blues Under-18 player Hodgman has spent two seasons at the Crusaders. The 22-year-old played in two U20 World Cups for Fiji in 2012 and New Zealand in 2013 before being offered a place in the Crusaders Wider Training Squad in 2015. He was promoted to a full contract this year, playing five times for the Crusaders.
"I am really excited about the opportunities this brings. I am able to return home to be around my family and to play for the Blues," Hodgman said.
"I have had good learnings at the Crusaders and now I have opportunities to further myself,"
Commenting on the prop's return, Umaga said: "Alex played in the Blues U18 squad with the likes of Patrick Tuipulotu and Joe Edwards and is a young man with a bright future who has the opportunity to learn the game from the likes of Charlie Faumuina and Ofa Tu’ungafasi.
"It is good to be able to offer opportunities for players to return to the region," he added.
Umaga said the Blues has a young squad with an average age of 24-years-old with around 80 percent of the current squad from within the Blues region.
Sonny Bill Williams also joined the Blues from the Chiefs, earlier this month, pledging his allegiance to former All Black great Umaga.
*Meanwhile, in between the signings and corparate business deals, Blues is set to play a match against the Northland Barbarian during the Super Rugby break.
